Comedian Matt Rife is not backing down from controversy sparked by his opening domestic violence joke for his first Netflix comedy special -- instead, he seems to be courting new controversy by sending critics to a site for special needs helmets.
Comedian Matt Rife is responding to controversy about domestic violence humor with ableism. The rising comic just released his first Netflix comedy special and the very first joke set off a wave of backlash.
In response to that, Rife took to his Instagram Stories on Monday night not to defend his joke or apologize for it, but to target a whole different demographic and possibly stir up another nest of controversy.
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View Story"If you've ever been offended by a joke I've told," he captioned an image of himself on the stage, "here's a link to my official apology."
Reminder Matt Rife is a POS pic.twitter.com/EoCWOM90V2
— Pro-choice Auntie (@WisKanSass) November 21, 2023 @WisKanSass
The link itself was labeled, "Tap to solve your issue." But it didn't go to an apology page. Instead, it links to the Medicale Shop website's page for special needs helmets.
A few hours later, Rife returned to his Stories with an apparent reaction to that first post. "We on the naughty list," he captioned a new image with a winky-smile emoji. This link was labeled, "This one's real this time" with a crying-laughing emoji.
It took fans to the latest link on his own own YouTube page where he teases a couple from his crowd about how they met. The bit is labeled "Bad Santa," which explains his reference on the Stories.
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View Storymatt rife you will begin to cough in seven days …. pic.twitter.com/w2UH9FSIyr
— m (@imnotauntblazer) November 21, 2023 @imnotauntblazer
The original offending joke was set up by Rife saying he and a friend were in a "ratchet" Baltimore restaurant when they realized their server had a black eye. When the friend wondered why she wouldn't have been moved to the kitchen so customers wouldn't have to see it, Rife responded, "Yeah, but I feel like if she could cook, she wouldn't have that black eye."
Immediately after that opening joke, Rife appeared to gauge the audience response, telling the crowd he was "just testing the waters, seeing if y'all are gonna be fun or not."
"I figure if we start the show with domestic violence," he continued, "the rest of the show should be smooth sailing."
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View StoryRife, who admitted in an interview with Variety that his fan base was originally more women, due to his viral success on TikTok, he wanted to prove with this first major special that his material is for everyone. "I would argue this special is way more for guys," he told the outlet.
Rife's final slide on his Instagram Stories at the time of publication was him celebrating that his Netflix special Natural Selection is currently sitting at number one on the Top 10 TV Shows in the U.S. Today.
Meanwhile, a good chunk of those who took in the special have taken to social media to respond to that opening choice to make a joke about domestic violence and they are definitely not laughing ... at the initial joke or his ableist response.
I see we’ve watched Matt Rife’s Netflix special… pic.twitter.com/eNIB3uTn9j
— K*rk (@krktwe3ts) November 21, 2023 @krktwe3ts
Now Playing: the downfall of Matt Rife
— Jennuinely Tired (@jenn_ficarra) November 21, 2023 @jenn_ficarra
I don't usually let this kinda influencer drama get to me, but Matt Rife has crossed a line with his jokes on domestic violence and responding with the instagram story below. So gross. pic.twitter.com/dOYuG3dAqg
— christi (@crispycarpy) November 21, 2023 @crispycarpy
So cool of Matt Rife to show his ableism now. I’m so glad I didn’t get tickets. pic.twitter.com/HKaN3tzhyq
— Amber (Taylor’s Version) 🥀🖤 (@amberpunkrose) November 20, 2023 @amberpunkrose
the fact i used to like matt rife and turns out he's literally abelist and making jokes about people going through domestic violence is insane to me..
— kaylin ♡ FREE PALESTINE 🇵🇸 (@coffinclaws) November 21, 2023 @coffinclaws
remove Matt Rife’s comedy special @netflix pic.twitter.com/UymmHDIzas
— court (@capitolstark) November 21, 2023 @capitolstark
me meeting matt rife pic.twitter.com/ZZUDNVCruw
— kait 🚕🎱🤍 (@mcntanasky) November 21, 2023 @mcntanasky
this is the most disgusting thing i’ve ever seen @mattrife pic.twitter.com/8C0cxQhaN0
— mandi | ia era (@themoonishigh13) November 21, 2023 @themoonishigh13
Matt rife posts a link to an “apology” but it’s really just this……BIG YIKES pic.twitter.com/WjjMzk0TEO
— 𝒸𝒽𝓇𝒾𝓈𝓉𝒾𝓃𝒶 (@ageofchris) November 20, 2023 @ageofchris
Not Matt Rife building his platform on catering to his female audience and then opening his Netflix special with a domestic violence joke 🤡 pic.twitter.com/JnDppVdY2N
— Chef Don (@The_Silicon_Don) November 20, 2023 @The_Silicon_Don
is matt rife a real person or just a yassified daniel tosh
— Al Shipley (@alshipley) November 21, 2023 @alshipley
Matt Rife making a sexist/DV “joke”…then sending people to a website to special needs helmets as his “apology”.
— Green (@palegreenmm) November 21, 2023 @palegreenmm
There’s a difference between an edgy joke and just being disrespectful and distasteful. pic.twitter.com/T8YOwRU7fP
if you support matt rife, tell me so i can block you immediately. he is sick. pic.twitter.com/GSZkTUXhw4
— haley on cornelia street ⸆⸉ 🫶🏻 (@loveisgolden13_) November 21, 2023 @loveisgolden13_
I’m here for the Matt Rife Netflix special slander. Dude’s comedy style bland af pic.twitter.com/NVW8X068e2
— Whitney Wells (@WellsWhitn91295) November 21, 2023 @WellsWhitn91295
Matt Rife’s team either has no clue what he’s doing or they’re just as idiotic as him because this is an INSANE response (note the link to special needs helmets)
— Emma Stevens (@emcatco) November 21, 2023 @emcatco
This guy is truly not smart enough to be funny. pic.twitter.com/c1X44tC9jY
Matt Rife getting canceled? pic.twitter.com/H9c9laQsUy
— Matt 🚩 (@yomattycakes) November 20, 2023 @yomattycakes
damn y’all is Matt Rife okay?? 🤣 pic.twitter.com/1fH4CQqfwD
— Summer 🌼👃🏻🌼 (@summorgue) November 20, 2023 @summorgue